Canon recalls the Speedlite EL-5, because they can’t make flashes

35 comments

1. Nice of them to finally acknowledge what some on this forum have experienced. I’ll check my serial number, but I suspect I’m not affected (my battery seems to hold charge fine).
   
   After the train wreck that was the PocketWizard setup (it worked great when it worked, which seemed to happen mostly on Tuesdays when I stood on one foot for at least 10 minutes), the ST-E3-RT and a set of 600EX-RT flashes was a flawlessly-working breath of fresh air. 3rd party systems have come a long way since then, while Canon has stagnated (at best).

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2. I have two speedlights and a remote from Flashpoint (Adorama's rebranded GODOX units) that work just fine, even in ETTL mode. They were cheap, and I only use them a few times a year. I have a 430EX and 580EXII as well. But I got to the point where I wanted flashes off camera and zone control etc. The Flashpoint system was way cheaper than anything from Canon. So far have been very happy. May buy their macro flash at some point.
   
   Brian

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3. I have an affected serial number but have not experienced the issue at all. Routinely leave the full charged battery in the flash off in my bag and maybe in a week or two it just goes down 1 of the 4 bars, if at all.

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4. Canon flashes have been a trainwreck for years. They've been an endless source of frustration and disappointment for me. Buying EL-1 was the last time I gave Canon a chance with their flashes and from now on I'll be jumping onto the Godox bandwagon. I've heard nothing but positive feedback about their flashes.

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5. I have an affected serial number but have not experienced the issue at all. Routinely leave the full charged battery in the flash off in my bag and maybe in a week or two it just goes down 1 of the 4 bars, if at all.

   Yeah, turns out mine is ‘affected’ based on serial number, but like you I have no problems.

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6. Its really nice of canon to also CHARGE their customers to fix it. Sort of like Sony bricking cameras with their firmware and expecting people to pay Sony to fix the problem they created.

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7. It is not a good way to promote one company, others like Profoto offer also good flashes. I do not think you are paid, so better to stay neutral.

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8. Its really nice of canon to also CHARGE their customers to fix it.

   I guess your trollish nature has impaired your ability to read and comprehend. Try again. Or ask a toddler for help.
   
   

   If the product in question exhibits this phenomenon, we will inspect and repair it free of charge.

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9. It is not a good way to promote one company, others like Profoto offer also good flashes. I do not think you are paid, so better to stay neutral.

   
   I use Godox flashes and like them a lot. Profoto makes great products as well, but I don't think their price/performance ratio is better than Godox/Flashpoint for my use case.
   
   Godox has never given me a speedlite and have never paid me a penny. So unlike the YouTube world, my promo is an honest one. You're free to ignore it.
   
   I wasn't exactly "neutral" with my brief thoughts on Canon's current Speedlite situation.

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10. I use Godox flashes and like them a lot. Profoto makes great products as well, but I don't think their price/performance ratio is better than Godox/Flashpoint for my use case.
    
    Godox has never given me a speedlite and have never paid me a penny. So unlike the YouTube world, my promo is an honest one. You're free to ignore it.

    TBH, the price difference is huge, yes I get the reliability side, but really.

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11. I have an affected serial number but have not experienced the issue at all. Routinely leave the full charged battery in the flash off in my bag and maybe in a week or two it just goes down 1 of the 4 bars, if at all.

    Same here, the charge does drop to half after two to three weeks, but not drained to zero. If they offer free postages, I don't mind sending it back to get serviced.

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12. My Canon speedlites (600s and 600 2s) drop their wireless connections so frequently these days that I can't rely on them professionally anymore. I have 8, and they're pretty much useless now. Dealing with CPS about them is beyond frustrating. They don't acknowledge the problem, then they do but say there's nothing that can be done, then they say there's no problem again. It's beyond frustrating and disappointing. The el1 at that insane price, followed by the new ridiculous shoe mount have put the final nail in the coffin for me. Canon flashes are dead to me. Dramatic enough??? Lol. Sigh.

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13. Nice of them to finally acknowledge what some on this forum have experienced. I’ll check my serial number, but I suspect I’m not affected (my battery seems to hold charge fine).
    
    After the train wreck that was the PocketWizard setup (it worked great when it worked, which seemed to happen mostly on Tuesdays when I stood on one foot for at least 10 minutes), the ST-E3-RT and a set of 600EX-RT flashes was a flawlessly-working breath of fresh air. 3rd party systems have come a long way since then, while Canon has stagnated (at best).

    
    
    I hear you. I used to love how my 600 ex would simply shut itself off in the middle of a shoot.
    
    Every single time at one point or another it would just turn off.
    
    The controller did the same maybe once or twice. No it wasn't the batteries. Super duper random I couldn't think of a reason even if I tried.
    
    Didn't notice these new ones had a new interface. Speedlight interfaces were found in the pyramids, they're so bloody ancient.

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14. Looks like my less than a month old EL5 is also affected according to the serial. Now I’ll have to start keeping the battery inserted overnight to see if the unit is actually affected!

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15. Its really nice of canon to also CHARGE their customers to fix it. Sort of like Sony bricking cameras with their firmware and expecting people to pay Sony to fix the problem they created.

    Free repair acceptance period​

    Until September 30, 2026

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16. I have an EL-5 also - couldn't resist it when Canon Refurb recently had them for $150. I like mine - color balance and TTL exposure are more accurate than my Godoxes (which I still use). Mine has the 4th digit 0 serial number, but so far does not exhibit the battery drain issue.

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17. I own a couple of these: they're in the recall range. I knew about the battery drain from the forums so I made sure to leave batteries in them to see. Resting, I lose about 1% or so a day (varies) which is what I'd expect from high discharge cells. As for Godox, I've used them and found them to be clunky (mostly the triggers) and produced banding in high speed sync. There is no panacea (just read the Godox forums). About the only thing that really impressed me were the Yonguo YN622C II transceivers: they worked fine. I'm hoping once all the EX gets out of the system Canon will address the wireless drop issue: the EL series are firmware upgradable via the camera body, so we'll see.

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18. I have four EL1 and two EL 5. No issues with any at all. Both my EL 5 flashes fit into the serial numbers mentioned but I have not experienced this. I use the EL 5 flashes on camera at receptions and the EL 1 flashes on stands mostly on 1/8 power so I don’t ask a lot of them haha. But the on camera are in TTL and I get a whole wedding and go home with half batter in my on camera and 3/4 left off camera. I do check the frequency band before each wedding at the venue and seldom see any misfires. Touch wood it stays this way haha.

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19. I guess this explains why when new, after leaving the supplied battery in the camera, it drained to zero and refused to charge. I've been using aftermarket batteries without issue in it; I check the flash periodically and it's always at full charge. I guess I'd like some more details on the problem.
    
    Note that I did buy a Godox flash and transmitter, Canon's wireless flash system is useless, with it dropping connections anytime it comes near a wifi network.
    
    If the Godox stays connected via wireless without dropouts than I will stick with them.

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